tracked leaders, led 4 out, slight lead when blundered last, not recover
always behind
tracked leaders, pushed along 3 out, ridden next, left in lead last, driven out
held up in rear, pushed along 5 out, outpaced next, stayed on well from 2 out
towards rear, never dangerous
led, headed 4 out, soon weakened
in touch, pushed along 4 out, soon ridden and beaten
towards rear, pushed along 5 out, soon outpaced, kept on one pace from 2 out
mid-division, never better
towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, weakened quickly approaching 4 out
held up in touch, ridden and outpaced approaching 4 out
held up in mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd 3 out, every chance last, kept on under pressure, run-in
Bouncing King comes into this on the back of wins in novice hurdles at Worcester and Hexham, looks well treated for his first start over fences and is taken to win again, getting the vote ahead of Diamond Mick and Kirkside Pleasure. The last mentioned disappointed when last seen at Perth but has solid claims on earlier form over hurdles and has to be respected. Howard Johnson's Top Dressing was disappointing on his reappearance and first start over fences here earlier in the month and is probably better than he showed that day but is hard to back with confidence. Peter Beaumont's Hutch has slipped to a fair mark and has to be respected, while Malt de Vergy has given little sign of encouragement in his recent outings. Martin Todhunter's Diamond Mick is a capable performer and is entitled to be thereabouts if fit enough for his return but Bouncing King is fit and in form so he is preferred.
Bouncing King 4-5fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, headway to lead between last two, comfortably, won at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Spivitus (11-0) by 6l, 10 ran.
Kirkside Pleasure (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, no impression from next, 8th of 16, 42l behind Noir Et Vert (10-7) at Perth 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr '06.
Top Dressing (IRE) 15-8 (11-4) Held up, blundered 4th, headway when blundered 4 out, ridden and weakened from next, 3rd of 5, 35l behind Supply And Fix (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Spirit Calling (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) In touch to halfway, struggling 4 out, rallied last, stayed on, 5th of 9, 9l behind Medison (11-2) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Ocarina (FR) 11-1 (11-1) Towards rear, headway when mistake 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Toulouse Express (11-2) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Apr, 13 ran.
Banchory Two (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (12-0) Led to 3 out; sn wknd, 5th of 8, 14l behind Just A Man (12-3) at Easingwold 3m ptp gd in May.
Diamond Mick 20-1 (10-1) Soon behind, ridden 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 15, 17l behind Lennon (11-2) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr '06.
Royal Glen (IRE) 22-1 (10-10) Behind, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 28l behind Lord On The Run (11-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Classic Harry 66-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 9th of 14, well behind Programme Girl (10-7) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Za Beau (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Always prominent, effort 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, no impression, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Cromwell Court (11-3) at Hexham 2m nh mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Toulouse Express (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened from 7th, 14th of 15, 44l behind Fortunate Dave (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Hutch 16-1 (11-4) Close up, left in lead 6th, ridden 2 out, headed last and one pace flat, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Gunson Hight (9-10) at Hexham 2m cnd hcp chs (5) gs in May.
Malt de Vergy (FR) 14-1 (10-13) In touch, outpaced approaching 3 out, weakened after next, 8th of 12, 27l behind Alfonso (10-11) at Kelso 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Wyn Dixie (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Led, hard pressed when not fluent last, soon headed, no extra flat, 4th of 15, 8l behind Freedom Flying (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gf in Oct.
High Commission 28-1 (10-11) Behind, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 7th of 16, 46l behind Snow's Ride (11-7) at Kelso 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
